Can I Drive After LASIK Surgery?

More and more people are turning to LASIK surgery as a way to reduce their dependence on glasses and contact lenses. We're proud to help patients in and around West Orange see their world a little better using state-of-the-art laser technology.

Even though LASIK requires very little downtime, patients will be asked to avoid certain activities as they heal from the procedure. With that in mind, let's consider when a LASIK patient will be able to drive a car after their surgery.

What to Expect After LASIK Surgery

After you undergo LASIK surgery, you will likely experience some discomfort around the eyes. Your vision may be blurry or hazy for several hours as well. Light sensitivity will also be an issue, and you'll notice discomfort whenever you are near bright lights or in direct sunlight.

In addition to these issues involving your eyes and your vision, you may notice some drowsiness and mild grogginess. This is a side effect of the mild sedation that is used as part of the LASIK procedure.

Can I Drive Home After LASIK Surgery?

No.

Given the potential issues with your vision as well as the drowsiness and grogginess that you may be experiencing, it is simply not safe to drive home after you undergo LASIK surgery. Patients are advised to have a family member or loved one drive them home or help them home following LASIK surgery.

When at home, patients should rest their eyes, avoiding the use of smart phones, tablets, and laptops/computers. Patients should also avoid reading, watching TV, and playing video games.

Can I Drive to My First Follow-up Visit?

Even though the first follow-up visit after LASIK surgery is roughly 24 hours later, patients should not drive to the practice.

During the follow-up visit, your LASIK surgeon will assess your recovery and the condition of your vision. In some instances, you may be cleared to drive home from the follow-up visit. In other instances, your LASIK surgeon may advise you to wait a bit longer before driving.

Will I Be Able to Drive at Night?

In addition to issues with light sensitivity, patients who undergo LASIK will also experience some serious issues with their night vision. It can be difficult to see minute details in the dark given issues with contrast, especially if there are bright lights around.

It's best for recent LASIK patients to avoid driving at night if possible. This will help prevent potential collisions or near-collisions at nighttime. Using public transportation or getting rides from co-workers and loved ones may be most ideal.

Be Cautious and Take Your Time

LASIK recovery is thankfully pretty quick. While you may not be driving during the daytime for a few days, you'll be back behind the wheel sooner than you think.

As for driving at night, pay attention to your surgeon's recommendations. You'll also want to consider how you feel about driving at night using a reasonable assessment of your own night vision. If you're having problems seeing objects in the dark, avoid driving until your night vision improves.

Please contact us to learn more about our practice and the services we provide. Whether you are interested in laser vision correction or you are suffering from an eye condition such as glaucoma or dry eye, we offer comprehensive vision care. We look forward to hearing from you.